Paul Hartley can’t believe Mark O’Hara was used in defence

Paul Hartley reckons Mark O’Hara is finally showing his full capabilities after having his defensive shackles removed at Dundee.

The 20-year-old was left deflated earlier this summer when Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark decided he could do without his services at the back.

How he was a right-back or a centre-half I’ll never know because I see this kid as an attacking midfield player.

Paul Hartley

But Hartley moved sharply to snap O’Hara up after spotting his potential to make the grade as an attacking midfielder.

And so far the change of position has paid off, with the former Rugby Park right-back netting his first senior goal in the defeat to Rangers last week.

He also put in an impressive display in the Dark Blues’ Ladbrokes Premiership curtain-raiser away to Ross County and Hartley believes the youngster will only get better and better.

He said: “I love having Mark involved right now. He’s been a breath of fresh air for the team.

“He’s a brilliant young professional and has a great attitude and work ethic.

“He also has great qualities about him. How he was a right-back or a centre-half I’ll never know because I see this kid as an attacking midfield player.

“He’s 6ft 2ins, can run box to box and with real good quality on the ball. He needs to add goals to his game. That was his first senior goal last week in 80 games. In fairness he was playing at the back before but I’ve set him a target of 10 goals.

“When I looked at him I just felt there was a change of position needed. I watched him in the play-off game against Falkirk last year and I just felt he was restricted.

“And fair play to him, he has so far stood up to the challenge. He was pretty low when I tried to sign him but we had a good conversation. I told him to come in here and enjoy it and that I’d try to help him, because I know what he can be.

“When I told him what I had in mind he couldn’t wait to get started. We have taken the shackles off him and told him to go be what he can be.